DEARBORN -- What began as a routine traffic stop has evolved into a teachable moment for the Police Department.

On Aug. 3, Officer David Lacey pulled over a 1999 GMC Jimmy on Outer Drive, south of Michigan Avenue, because its left rear taillight was burned out. Two people were in the SUV.

The passenger, Shalandra Jones, is HIV positive, but didn't tell Lacey until about 15 minutes into the stop, which upset the officer. He said had he known, he would have worn gloves before searching the SUV.

The American Independent, a Washington, D.C., publication that touts itself as a source of "impact journalism," published a story recently with the headline, "Exclusive: Police video prompts allegations of HIV discrimination." It included a police dash-cam video of the stop, which it received through a Freedom of Information Act request, on its website, americanindependent.com. The Press & Guide has linked to the 29-minute, 55-second video at www.pressandguide.com.

"I take every comment, complaint and concern of all citizens very seriously," Police Chief Ronald Haddad told the Press & Guide. "I'm thoroughly reviewing the matter."

He said "corrective action" will be taken once the review is done.

"We've also partnered with an HIV health professional and educator who will assist us with providing a greater understanding (of HIV transmission)," Haddad said.

"We want to be transparent, and I'm confident we can do better."

Haddad said from the part of the video he saw, Lacey had a positive demeanor with Jones and the driver, Mark Scott.

When Lacey found Jones' HIV medications he said he was upset about her not telling him that she is HIV positive, and told her she should tell an officer that when asked to get out of a vehicle.

"Honestly, if it wasn't for that, I don't think I would have wrote anybody for anything," Lacey was quoted as saying by The American Independent. "But that kind of really aggravated me, you know what I mean? You got to tell me right away, 'I've got this, I've got that,' 'cause at that time, I wasn't wearing any gloves."

He said he was concerned because he could have been pricked by earrings he found in Jones' purse, and, if needles would have been found, he could have been stuck that way, too.

The publication reported there was little risk that the officer could have contracted HIV in this situation, and patients are not required by state law to say they're HIV positive in that situation.

The state and federal governments say HIV can't be transmitted through casual contact; the virus is transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse or sharing a needle with someone who is HIV positive. HIV can be transmitted through accidental needle sticks, but the risk is very low.

When Lacey first approached the car, he said he smelled marijuana and asked where it was at. They first denied they were smoking it, but Jones admitted there was marijuana in the SUV and gave it to the officer. She said the marijuana was hers and she's a registered medical marijuana patient in Michigan. Her medical marijuana card was expired.

Lacey handcuffed Scott, who didn't have a valid driver's license, and put him in the back of his patrol car. Scott also had a warrant for an unpaid traffic ticket in Allen Park.

Lacey returned to the Jimmy and asked Jones to step out. He told her to sit on the front bumper of his patrol car while he searched the SUV, which she did.

That's when he found the HIV medication, and he put on a pair of leather gloves, The American Independent reported.

Lacey returned to the patrol car and asked Scott if there was anything medically wrong with Jones; he said she was HIV positive.

The American Independent reported that Scott explained Jones has had "an undetectable viral load" for 11 years, which makes it highly unlikely she could have transmitted the disease.

Dr. Paul Benson, who treats HIV, wrote to The American Independent in an email that Jones posed little risk of transmission.

"His perceived risks of looking into handbags or under seats are real," he wrote. "He has no idea what's inside, and who knows what he would come across or injure himself even using caution.

"The earrings themselves were probably of a very low risk, but still an unknown risk. Factors include when they were worn last, what the viral load of HIV of the source person was, and if there was any blood on them."

Lacey ticketed Jones for marijuana possession, telling her to get her card renewed and contact 19th District Court, and Scott for not having a valid driver's license and for the burned-out taillight. He allowed them to leave in the Jimmy, but with Jones driving.

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